“Where the hell did you learn that?”
“I’m sort of tired of saying ‘I don’t know,’ so let’s just leave it at I can fight. You need to learn to do the same. Romano thought you’d like having a way to defend yourself instead of always relying on others.”
Romano was there every step of the way. Through her fight, through her fear, through denying him, he constantly showed how he thought of her and was willing to make this work. Kalinda may not be completely with this mated thing and doing something crazy like falling in love, but she couldn’t deny it felt nice to have someone on her side like that.
Damn, Houston, we may have a problem.
Chapter Twelve
Romano never really thought about having a mate. At least, not past the idea his wolf might choose one and he’d have to face it. Most of the time, he enjoyed life and women in a superficial capacity; he was too caught up with working for the Family.
Before becoming a Capo under Dominic, he’d been an Enforcer under Dominic for Arturo. That meant death and violence, blood and order, without much room for softness. And while they’d made some changes to the organization, they were still, at the core, dangerous men living dangerous lives. Now he had a mate, and he had to think of her safety as well as his. It was unfamiliar territory.
The thought overwhelmed him as he walked into the Arena to meet with Arturo and his men about the Viscount Pride. Dominic walked beside him, eyes forward and silent, a partner in this movement to keep their women safe. Part of Romano wanted to return to their bed, take her many more times, and enjoy days of learning every cry, every inch of her, and the multitude of ways he could make her climax. Even with all that, the urge to keep her alive was paramount.
There was a great chance, one he feared, of her turning wolf and facing great pain when she did. He didn’t know much about Born Wolves turning their mates who were high-level mages, but it seemed the success rate was high; however, there was no telling what would happen at the combination. The mating of a Born Wolf with a mage over Level 6 hadn’t been done before.
Not only that, the Council would come for her eventually, though they would have to plan their move to keep from inciting a war. The Viscount Pride had their hand in this, and there was also no telling how they would be able to get out from under the Council’s death sentence if she decided against going with their wishes. There were too many dangers, too many unknowns, and it made Romano’s wolf uncomfortable.
“Quiet on you makes me nervous.” Finally breaking the silence, Dominic was sharp as they stopped in the middle of packed earth dyed red from the blood of contenders. They stood in one of the few places wolves could fight to the death in fighting for bets and glory. Even some disputes could be settled within these hallowed walls where the air smelled like death.
It had been years, of course, since anyone was willing to challenge Dominic or Romano. “There are too many factors. I can’t just run in and kill everyone like I’d normally do.”
“It’s tempting. I know the feeling. Did you settle things with Kalinda?”
Romano sighed. “As much as we can. A breakthrough with that woman one day could be just a crack in the armor the next.”
“So you called for backup.”
“Hey, Silva is going to train Kalinda when I can’t be there. I call that a smart business move.”
Dominic started walking with a snort, and Romano fell into step with him. “You’re chicken shit, that’s what happened. Admit it.”
“I don’t understand those words. Did you say you’re a baby douche?”
“Why a baby douche instead of just a douche?”
“Sounds like you just called yourself a double baby douche, and that’s really sad. They probably have support groups for that.”
Dominic’s laughter trailed with them as they got into the lone elevator off the main floor and pressed the lower of only two buttons. The doors slid closed and they descended. “At least your sense of humor is still intact.”
“Always. I should probably go on the road.”
“I’d buy all your tickets and not show up just so you can have an empty stadium.”
“But did I make money off your sale though? I’d win.”
Dominic shook his head before all levity left his face when the elevator doors slid open. Here, when the meeting of the bosses commenced, there were no openings for laughter. Within these walls they decided on life or death.
Arturo was already seated to one side of the table, Carlo at his right hand. Carlo had taken Dominic’s place at Arturo’s side after he had dispatched Primo and Ottavio to the underworld.
Carlo acknowledged them first, inclining his head to Dominic. “You’ve made it.”
As Dominic reached his chair, he greeted Arturo. “What have you found out?”
“The Viscount Pride was hired by the Council to cause a situation in which Kalinda would be taken under their custody and then handed over to the Council,” Arturo answered.
“What would that earn them?”
